The day I wrote a song about you

Chapter 13: Behind

"Don't laugh! It hurts!" Who I learnt once again was Oli, closed his eyes hard as he blew his nose on a napkin.

"I'm sorry, buddy, you're right." Cara covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hide her smile. "It's not funny."

As we all ate in the living room, Oscar made a joke and Oli laughed, sneezing so hard right after that the noodles he was eating came out of his nose. We all laughed, Oscar was even smacking the floor. Sandro was asleep, he slept in his father's bedroom. Justin was trying hard not to, but he was dozing off as he ate an egg roll. He was quiet, that little one.

We suddenly heard noises coming from the front door. Someone was trying to open it. Cara threw me an odd look. "That's weird. My brothers texted that they weren't-" she paused and got up quickly. "Oh, no."

"Is it dad?" Asked Oscar.

"Yes." Cara nodded as she closed the drapes after she took a look. "Stay here, okay?"

"Eleanor! Open the fucking door! Chyórt!" Cara's dad started knocking hard on the door, pushing it even. He slurred his words and I knew very well he was drunk, since it had happened to me before many times.

"Dad!" Cara opened it for him. "It was open." He let him in. The man came inside staggering along. I got up just in case but I really didn't know what to do. The kids looked scared and Justin who was falling asleep before, had his big hazel eyes open wide.

"Where is your mother?" His voice was raspy and deep. The man got into the living room and saw me. He stumbled backwards but kept his eyes locked on me. He honestly looked like a homeless guy. He was tall and extremely thin, his cheeks sucked inside, covered by a gray sparse beard. His clothes were a mess, his grayish hair was all over his face. He was even drooling. It was insane that these kids had to witness this. Was it normal for them? Was it something that happened often?

"She's at work." Cara seemed nervous as she spoke. "Let me get you some water-"

"I don't want fucking water!" Cara winced, they twins got closer to one another. Justin got up from the couch slowly and hid behind my legs. "Who's this guy?" He nodded towards me. "You have a boyfriend now? You're such a whore, just like your mother-"

I had to say something. "Sir-"

"Dad!" Cara said quickly at the same time as me so he would stop talking. "Let's go to bed, yeah?"

"This is my house." He turned to her and pointed to the floor. "I'm watching my TV in my living room."

"Kids, why don't you go upstairs?" She didn't have to say it twice, they all run quickly towards the stairs, leaving a big gap when they passed by their father.

The man pushed me away softly, he didn't have much strength in that state and sat down on the couch. He kicked some take out boxes and placed his feet on the table.

I walked towards Cara. "Cara-"

"Nico, I-" she glanced down at the floor. I knew she felt embarrassed, her cheeks were flushed. "I think it's better if you go home."

I frowned and approached her a little more. We stood by the doorway as his dad turned on the TV. "I'm not leaving you alone."

"It's okay. He won't hurt me." She nodded before glancing back at me. "He'll be off in a few minutes."

"Cara-"

"I know how to handle this, Nico." She reassured sharply. "My brothers will be here any minute."

"Call me if you need anything, okay?"

She nodded, opening the door for me. Before I could turn around and say goodbye, she had already closed the door.